Job Description

A cover letter is required for consideration for this position and should be attached as the first page of your resume. The cover letter should address your specific interest in the position and outline skills and experience that directly relate to this position.

The College of Engineering at the University of Michigan is seeking a dynamic and detail-oriented individual to join our Resource Planning and Management team as a Space Utilization Planner. This role will be instrumental in overseeing the planning, allocation, and management of campus spaces to support the academic, administrative, and support functions of the College.

As a Space utilization planner within the College of Engineering, you will collaborate with College and University partners to ensure that our physical infrastructure supports the University's educational mission and strategic objectives, while also maintaining efficiency, safety, and sustainability. We invite qualified candidates to join our team and contribute to the continuous improvement and growth of our campus facilities.

Space Planning and Allocation:

• Understand, assess, and plan the use of campus spaces to meet teaching, research, administrative, and support needs.
• Identify underutilized areas and develop proposals to improve usage and maximize efficiency.
• Make space allocation recommendations to the administration.

Needs and Master Planning:

• Collaborate with various departments and stakeholders to assess their current use and understand their current / projected space needs. Consider both space and infrastructure implications and translate needs into quantifiable data.  
• Conduct surveys and studies to evaluate the current condition and adequacy of existing facilities and identify future needs.
• Contribute to long-term campus planning for the College by understanding Vision 2030, Campus 2050, and analyzing trends among higher education peers.
• Understand space implications of College's strategic goals and growth projections.

Coordination and Communication:

• Act as a liaison between College departments and the Dean's office. 
• Collaborate with faculty, staff, students, and administration to identify facility needs and functionality.

Data and Lifecycle Management:

• Utilize multiple data sources to inform decision-making and planning processes. 
• Manage the College of Engineering's Annual Space Survey to capture current space utilization and future needs.
• Collaborate with campus partners in Facilities and Operations to maintain accurate space records, ensure transparency in project planning, and seek planning options that are mutually beneficial. 
• Analyze space maintenance and utility costs against space utilization.   
• Consider new data collection methods to analyze space utilization and efficiency.  

Continuous Improvement:

• Regularly review and refine planning processes to enhance efficiency, cost-effectiveness, and overall campus experience.
• Conduct analytical studies in support of space or physical facility changes.

• Bachelor's degree in urban planning, architecture, engineering, interior design, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), or a related field, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Experience in facilities planning or management, preferably in an educational setting.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and time management skills, including the ability to meet deadlines and work under pressure.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, including the ability to work effectively with customers at all levels.
• Proven ability to problem solve and to accept unclear, uncertain, or novel situations, and work effectively in this environment. 
• Ability to work collaboratively with a diverse range of stakeholders.
• Proficiency in data management and analytical tools.
• Wide-ranging skills in such areas as planning, customer relationship management, decision-making, and administration.
• Ability to organize and provide project reports, technical documentation, papers and/or project plans.
• Skilled in creating concise decision support materials that integrate both quantitative and qualitative data sources to effectively communicate information, present options, and support decision-making by College leadership.

• Demonstrated knowledge, skill, and ability to manage computer-based facilities and space management systems, including the use of GIS.
• Knowledge of University facilities space inventory and management.
• Ability to read, understand, and interpret construction documents.

Physical Demands/Work Environment:

• Must be able to travel between buildings, including locations off of North Campus.

Salary:

• A higher salary may be considered for an extraordinarily qualified candidate.

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

Job openings are posted for a minimum of seven calendar days.  The review and selection process may begin as early as the eighth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended.

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

About University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

A great university is made so by its faculty and staff, and Michigan is recognized as one of the best universities to work for in the country. The Michigan culture is known for engaging faculty and staff in all facets of the university to create a workplace that is vibrant and stimulating.For two consecutive years, the Chronicle of Higher Education has placed U-M in its "Great Colleges to Work For" survey. In particular, the university earns high marks for strong relations between faculty and administrators, a collaborative system of governance, strong pay and benefits, and a healthy work/life balance.

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